Google Messages will add a feature to search for group chats in New Conversation

Google Messages is now testing a new enhancement that adds the ability to search by group in the new conversations screen.

Here's What We Know

Previously, the "To" field in the "Start a Chat > New Conversation" section only displayed individual contacts. Now there is a "Group Chats" section that allows you to search for conversations with multiple participants. You can search by group names and participants. The preview shows the last message sent, and clicking on the arrow takes the user to the chat itself. In the screenshots below, you can see comparisons between the old and new Google Messages interface.

This feature is being tested in the latest beta version of Google Messages (20240820_00_RC00) and is not yet available in the stable version. The last update to this screen in October 2023 removed the Top Contacts section, and the conversation/share selection interface was updated a few weeks ago.

Source: Reddit, 9to5google